Dubai: Inspired by the recent visit and blood donation by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at the Dubai Blood Donation Centre, more than 1,000 people have come forward to donate blood.
Laila Al Shaer, Director of the Dubai Blood Donation Centre, said: "All the staff members and blood donors were thrilled to see him and it boosted the morale of all the donors and the thalassaemia patients."
The centre, which is located in Latifa Hospital, collects almost 50 per cent of the total blood collected in the UAE. Almost 45 per cent of this is used for thalassaemia patients and 27 per cent for trauma patients.
Mobile unit
Laila said: "At the centre, we carry out more than 300 campaigns in a year to donate blood and we visit various government organisations, private sector groups [and others].
"We have recently introduced our mobile blood donation unit, which has helped us double the blood collection at every drive."
Several staff members including senior DHA officials pledged their solidarity with this humanitarian cause and donated blood during the drive held in the centre yesterday.
‘Important contribution'
Khalid Al Shaikh Mubarak, Deputy Director-General of the DHA, who is a regular blood donor and has been visiting the Dubai Blood Donation Centre every four to five months for the last six years to donate blood, said: "The process of donating blood takes only 15 minutes and it is a very important contribution towards society as donating blood helps save lives.
"It is the responsibility of every individual to protect their community members through such voluntary blood donations.
"The noble gesture demonstrated by our Ruler, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, sets an example for all of us to follow."
